Hi team R7,
I’m working on a project where I need to mill both sides of a piece of wood.
The problem is that when I machine the other side of the wood, it is slightly shifted from where it should be on the x axis. The bottom, closer to Y=zero is basically fine, but as the cut gets further away from zero, there is a shift. Has anyone had any experience with an issue like this before?
I’m still trying to work out exactly what’s going on but I’m pretty sure the data is fine and I’m leaning toward calling this one a machine calibration issue. I’ve attached an image for reference.
Any help, guesses would be greatly appreciated.
Kevin
I have not done it yet but in vcarve you select two sided. it has to be in the exact place where it was on the other side. I have seen people use dowels to ensure that it is in the right position. Maybe you are not placing it exactly in the same work zero. Also it might be that your machine is skewed just a little.
Kevin, made a piece that looked just like that myself recently. Used old fence post and made a dog gate.
Depending on how your cutting this, you appear to not be square.
If you have a large square 2’ plus, it’ll be pretty quick and easy.
Measure your Ys space apart from each other front and back, square the X off them.
Make sure your motors are powered all the time after squaring up good so you won’t loose it again.
Square is the first choice. If that is good make sure when you flip it it is not shifting from square. I use alignment pins for flipping and they have to be square to the y axis. If you are using an edge of the work, make sure to use the same edge. Ie. if you are using the right edge once you flip it is the left edge.
Great advice everyone. Thank you. Hopefully, it’s a squaring issue.
I’m actually using pins to guarantee the correct position.
About the squaring: when I installed this to my spoil board, I was under the impression that the spoil board and x axis gantry could be reliably used as a square. step 1: If your spoil board is a perfect square, you align the two y axis ends with the edge of the spoil board. While the x axis is located next to those ends, fasten them tight.
Step 2: then you move the x axis gantry all the way to other ends of the y axis and fasten those ends as well. Is there a problem with that logic? I’m sure there is but I’m just not seeing it. In any case, I’m going to check the squaring right now.
Thanks again!
Kevin
If both y beams are the same length, exactly, then the diagonals will be the same when it is square. It’s a really accurate test.
Awesome. I’ll check it right away. Thanks, Colin.
Colin is correct. If one Y is longer it will be off. I measured mine and set it up just as you stated. I did the back ones first then pulled it forward, checked the diagonal then bolted it down.
If you hit something moving back and forth it will throw it off also. One side will advance and one will not. I check mine when I need something precise.
That’s also relevant. I hit a snag the other day and should probably double check that both y axes are moving at the same location. Thanks so much for this.
@Kevin_McNally it’s not a problem. I do it all the time. You have to get in a habit of remembering to check it. I have to get I the habit of cleaning stuff off the work area. I get excited and want to just cut away and leave something on there or on the outside where it will hit the Y plates.
